Systems and methods for optimization of pick walks

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory storage devices storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processors and perform: receiving a respective number of totes for each respective order of one or more orders; determining, using a first set of rules, when the respective number of totes for a respective order of the one or more orders can be reduced; when the respective number of totes is determined to be able to be reduced, reducing, using a second set of rules, the respective number of totes for the respective order to a respective reduced number of totes for the respective order of the one or more orders; comparing the respective number of totes for the respective order to the respective reduced number of totes for the respective order; and when the respective number of totes for the respective order is compared to be equal to the respective reduced number of totes for the respective order, facilitating displaying, on an electronic device to a picker, the respective number of totes for the respective order. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to pick walk generating systems, andmore particularly to optimization of pick walk systems for improvedspeed of pick walk generation.

BACKGROUND

In general, pick walk generating systems focus on minimizing a timespent and distance traveled by a picker on a pick walk. While numerousmethods for generating a pick walk are known in the art, optimizationand further refinement of already generated pick walks have provencumbersome and slow. For example, a commonly used technique for pickwalk optimization known as ant colony optimization produces satisfactorysolutions, but is known to be time and processing power intensive due tothe need to calculate savings among all possible combinations for a pickwalk. As users continue to migrate to eCommerce and in-store pick-up forgoods, the number of pick walk optimizations needed continues to rise.This problem is compounded by a recent leveling off in advancements incomputer processing power due to an oncoming death of Moore's Law.Therefore, there is a need for a pick path optimization system thatavoids the problems of prior pick path optimization systems, therebyleading to faster processing times and fewer burdens on processingcircuits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the followingdrawings are provided in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevational view of a computer system that issuitable for implementing various embodiments of the systems disclosedin FIGS. 3 and 5 ;

FIG. 2 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of theelements included in the circuit boards inside a chassis of the computersystem of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 illustrates a representative block diagram of a system, accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart for a method, according to certainembodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart for a method, according to certainembodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates representative pseudocode instructions, according toa representative embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart for a method, according to certainembodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates representative pseudocode instructions, according toa representative embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates representative pseudocode instructions, according toa representative embodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates representative pseudocode instructions, according toa representative embodiment;

FIG. 11 illustrates representative pseudocode instructions, according toa representative embodiment;

FIG. 12 illustrates a representative block diagram of a system,according to an additional embodiment;

FIG. 13 illustrates a representative block diagram of a system,according to an additional embodiment; and

FIG. 14 illustrates a representative block diagram of a system,according to an additional embodiment.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figuresillustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions anddetails of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally, elementsin the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodimentsof the present disclosure. The same reference numerals in differentfigures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in thedescription and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishingbetween similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particularsequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the termsso used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such thatthe embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operationin sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variationsthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises alist of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but mayinclude other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process,method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,”“under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, areused for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describingpermanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms soused are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that theembodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacturedescribed herein are, for example, capable of operation in otherorientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the likeshould be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or moreelements mechanically and/or otherwise. Two or more electrical elementsmay be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically orotherwise coupled together. Coupling may be for any length of time,e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant. “Electricalcoupling” and the like should be broadly understood and includeelectrical coupling of all types. The absence of the word “removably,”“removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does notmean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not removable.

As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they arecomprised of the same piece of material. As defined herein, two or moreelements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece ofmaterial.

As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined withrespect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible uponoccurrence of a triggering event. A triggering event can include receiptof data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information.Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds,the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” realtime or somewhat delayed from a triggering event. In a number ofembodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay forprocessing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data. The particulartime delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, theprocessing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of thecommunication hardware, the transmission distance, etc. However, in manyembodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second,two seconds, five seconds, or ten seconds.

As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean withinplus or minus ten percent of the stated value. In other embodiments,“approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the statedvalue. In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus orminus three percent of the stated value. In yet other embodiments,“approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the statedvalue.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS

A number of embodiments can include a system. The system can include oneor more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readablestorage devices storing computing instructions. The computinginstructions can be configured to run on the one or more processors andperform: receiving a respective number of totes for each respectiveorder of one or more orders; determining, using a first set of rules,when the respective number of totes for a respective order of the one ormore orders can be reduced; when the respective number of totes isdetermined to be able to be reduced, reducing, using a second set ofrules, the respective number of totes for the respective order to arespective reduced number of totes for the respective order of the oneor more orders; comparing the respective number of totes for therespective order to the respective reduced number of totes for therespective order; and when the respective number of totes for therespective order is compared to be equal to the respective reducednumber of totes for the respective order, facilitating displaying, on anelectronic device to a picker, the respective number of totes for therespective order.

Various embodiments include a method. The method can be implemented viaexecution of computing instructions configured to run at one or moreprocessors and configured to be stored at non-transitorycomputer-readable media The method can comprise receiving a respectivenumber of totes for each respective order of one or more orders;determining, using a first set of rules, when the respective number oftotes for a respective order of the one or more orders can be reduced;when the respective number of totes is determined to be able to bereduced, reducing, using a second set of rules, the respective number oftotes for the respective order to a respective reduced number of totesfor the respective order of the one or more orders; comparing therespective number of totes for the respective order to the respectivereduced number of totes for the respective order; and when therespective number of totes for the respective order is compared to beequal to the respective reduced number of totes for the respectiveorder, facilitating displaying, on an electronic device to a picker, therespective number of totes for the respective order.

A number of embodiments can include a system. The system can include oneor more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readablestorage devices storing computing instructions. The computinginstructions can be configured to run on the one or more processors andperform: executing a greedy incremental batcher loop, which cancomprise: selecting a first picklist of one or more picklists; andmerging the first picklist with one or more picklists in a firstremainder of the one or more picklists when the merging would decrease acost of the first picklist, wherein the first remainder of the one ormore picklists comprises the one or picklists excluding the firstpicklist; executing a randomized tote local search loop, which cancomprise: selecting two random picklists of the one or more picklists,as merged; and swapping totes of the two random picklists of the one ormore picklists, as merged, when the swapping would decrease a cost of atleast one picklist of the two random picklists; executing an update mintrolley loop, which can comprise: selecting a shortest picklist of theone or more picklists, as merged and swapped; and combining the shortestpicklist with at least one picklist of the one or more picklists, asmerged and swapped, wherein a combination picklist of the shortestpicklist and the at least one picklist results in a savings of cost; andfacilitating displaying the combination picklist and the one or morepicklists, as merged and swapped, to a picker.

Various embodiments include a method. The method can be implemented viaexecution of computing instructions configured to run at one or moreprocessors and configured to be stored at non-transitorycomputer-readable media The method can comprise executing a greedyincremental batcher loop, which can comprise: selecting a first picklistof one or more picklists; and merging the first picklist with one ormore picklists in a first remainder of the one or more picklists whenthe merging would decrease a cost of the first picklist, wherein thefirst remainder of the one or more picklists comprises the one orpicklists excluding the first picklist; executing a randomized totelocal search loop, which can comprise: selecting two random picklists ofthe one or more picklists, as merged; and swapping totes of the tworandom picklists of the one or more picklists, as merged, when theswapping would decrease a cost of at least one picklist of the tworandom picklists; executing an update min trolley loop, which cancomprise: selecting a shortest picklist of the one or more picklists, asmerged and swapped; and combining the shortest picklist with at leastone picklist of the one or more picklists, as merged and swapped,wherein a combination picklist of the shortest picklist and the at leastone picklist results in a savings of cost; and facilitating displayingthe combination picklist and the one or more picklists, as merged andswapped, to a picker.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of acomputer system 100, all of which or a portion of which can be suitablefor (i) implementing part or all of one or more embodiments of thetechniques, methods, and systems and/or (ii) implementing and/oroperating part or all of one or more embodiments of the memory storagemodules described herein. As an example, a different or separate one ofa chassis 102 (and its internal components) can be suitable forimplementing part or all of one or more embodiments of the techniques,methods, and/or systems described herein. Furthermore, one or moreelements of computer system 100 (e.g., a monitor 106, a keyboard 104,and/or a mouse 110, etc.) also can be appropriate for implementing partor all of one or more embodiments of the techniques, methods, and/orsystems described herein. Computer system 100 can comprise chassis 102containing one or more circuit boards (not shown), a Universal SerialBus (USB) port 112, a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) and/orDigital Video Disc (DVD) drive 116, and a hard drive 114. Arepresentative block diagram of the elements included on the circuitboards inside chassis 102 is shown in FIG. 2 . A central processing unit(CPU) 210 in FIG. 2 is coupled to a system bus 214 in FIG. 2 . Invarious embodiments, the architecture of CPU 210 can be compliant withany of a variety of commercially distributed architecture families.

Continuing with FIG. 2 , system bus 214 also is coupled to a memorystorage unit 208, where memory storage unit 208 can comprise (i)non-volatile memory, such as, for example, read only memory (ROM) and/or(ii) volatile memory, such as, for example, random access memory (RAM).The non-volatile memory can be removable and/or non-removablenon-volatile memory. Meanwhile, RAM can include dynamic RAM (DRAM),static RAM (SRAM), etc. Further, ROM can include mask-programmed ROM,programmable ROM (PROM), one-time programmable ROM (OTP), erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasableprogrammable ROM (EEPROM) (e.g., electrically alterable ROM (EAROM)and/or flash memory), etc. In these or other embodiments, memory storageunit 208 can comprise (i) non-transitory memory and/or (ii) transitorymemory.

In many embodiments, all or a portion of memory storage unit 208 can bereferred to as memory storage module(s) and/or memory storage device(s).In various examples, portions of the memory storage module(s) of thevarious embodiments disclosed herein (e.g., portions of the non-volatilememory storage module(s)) can be encoded with a boot code sequencesuitable for restoring computer system 100 (FIG. 1 ) to a functionalstate after a system reset. In addition, portions of the memory storagemodule(s) of the various embodiments disclosed herein (e.g., portions ofthe non-volatile memory storage module(s)) can comprise microcode suchas a Basic Input-Output System (BIOS) operable with computer system 100(FIG. 1 ). In the same or different examples, portions of the memorystorage module(s) of the various embodiments disclosed herein (e.g.,portions of the non-volatile memory storage module(s)) can comprise anoperating system, which can be a software program that manages thehardware and software resources of a computer and/or a computer network.The BIOS can initialize and test components of computer system 100 (FIG.1 ) and load the operating system. Meanwhile, the operating system canperform basic tasks such as, for example, controlling and allocatingmemory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling inputand output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files.Exemplary operating systems can comprise one of the following: (i)Microsoft® Windows® operating system (OS) by Microsoft Corp. of Redmond,Washington, United States of America, (ii) Mac® OS X by Apple Inc. ofCupertino, California, United States of America, (iii) UNIX® OS, and(iv) Linux® OS. Further exemplary operating systems can comprise one ofthe following: (i) the iOS® operating system by Apple Inc. of Cupertino,California, United States of America, (ii) the Blackberry® operatingsystem by Research In Motion (RIM) of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, (iii)the WebOS operating system by LG Electronics of Seoul, South Korea, (iv)the Android™ operating system developed by Google, of Mountain View,California, United States of America, (v) the Windows Mobile™ operatingsystem by Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Washington, United States ofAmerica, or (vi) the Symbian™ operating system by Accenture PLC ofDublin, Ireland.

As used herein, “processor” and/or “processing module” means any type ofcomputational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, a controller, a complex instruction set computing(CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC)microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, agraphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type ofprocessor or processing circuit capable of performing the desiredfunctions. In some examples, the one or more processing modules of thevarious embodiments disclosed herein can comprise CPU 210.

Alternatively, or in addition to, the systems and procedures describedherein can be implemented in hardware, or a combination of hardware,software, and/or firmware. For example, one or more application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs) can be programmed to carry out one or moreof the systems and procedures described herein. For example, one or moreof the programs and/or executable program components described hereincan be implemented in one or more ASICs. In many embodiments, anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) can comprise one or moreprocessors or microprocessors and/or memory blocks or memory storage.

In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 2 , various I/O devices such as adisk controller 204, a graphics adapter 224, a video controller 202, akeyboard adapter 226, a mouse adapter 206, a network adapter 220, andother I/O devices 222 can be coupled to system bus 214. Keyboard adapter226 and mouse adapter 206 are coupled to keyboard 104 (FIGS. 1-2 ) andmouse 110 (FIGS. 1-2 ), respectively, of computer system 100 (FIG. 1 ).While graphics adapter 224 and video controller 202 are indicated asdistinct units in FIG. 2 , video controller 202 can be integrated intographics adapter 224, or vice versa in other embodiments. Videocontroller 202 is suitable for monitor 106 (FIGS. 1-2 ) to displayimages on a screen 108 (FIG. 1 ) of computer system 100 (FIG. 1 ). Diskcontroller 204 can control hard drive 114 (FIGS. 1-2 ), USB port 112(FIGS. 1-2 ), and CD-ROM drive 116 (FIGS. 1-2 ). In other embodiments,distinct units can be used to control each of these devices separately.

Network adapter 220 can be suitable to connect computer system 100 (FIG.1 ) to a computer network by wired communication (e.g., a wired networkadapter) and/or wireless communication (e.g., a wireless networkadapter). In some embodiments, network adapter 220 can be plugged orcoupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer system 100 (FIG. 1). In other embodiments, network adapter 220 can be built into computersystem 100 (FIG. 1 ). For example, network adapter 220 can be built intocomputer system 100 (FIG. 1 ) by being integrated into the motherboardchipset (not shown), or implemented via one or more dedicatedcommunication chips (not shown), connected through a PCI (peripheralcomponent interconnector) or a PCI express bus of computer system 100(FIG. 1 ) or USB port 112 (FIG. 1 ).

Returning now to FIG. 1 , although many other components of computersystem 100 are not shown, such components and their interconnection arewell known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, furtherdetails concerning the construction and composition of computer system100 and the circuit boards inside chassis 102 are not discussed herein.

Meanwhile, when computer system 100 is running, program instructions(e.g., computer instructions) stored on one or more of the memorystorage module(s) of the various embodiments disclosed herein can beexecuted by CPU 210 (FIG. 2 ). At least a portion of the programinstructions, stored on these devices, can be suitable for carrying outat least part of the techniques and methods described herein.

Further, although computer system 100 is illustrated as a desktopcomputer in FIG. 1 , there can be examples where computer system 100 maytake a different form factor while still having functional elementssimilar to those described for computer system 100. In some embodiments,computer system 100 may comprise a single computer, a single server, ora cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computersor servers. Typically, a cluster or collection of servers can be usedwhen the demand on computer system 100 exceeds the reasonable capabilityof a single server or computer. In certain embodiments, computer system100 may comprise a portable computer, such as a laptop computer. Incertain other embodiments, computer system 100 may comprise a mobileelectronic device, such as a smartphone. In certain additionalembodiments, computer system 100 may comprise an embedded system.

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of asystem 300 that can be employed for optimization of pick walks, asdescribed in greater detail below. System 300 is merely exemplary andembodiments of the system are not limited to the embodiments presentedherein. System 300 can be employed in many different embodiments orexamples not specifically depicted or described herein. In someembodiments, certain elements or modules of system 300 can performvarious procedures, processes, and/or activities. In these or otherembodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or activities can beperformed by other suitable elements or modules of system 300.

Generally, therefore, system 300 can be implemented with hardware and/orsoftware, as described herein. In some embodiments, part or all of thehardware and/or software can be conventional, while in these or otherembodiments, part or all of the hardware and/or software can becustomized (e.g., optimized) for implementing part or all of thefunctionality of system 300 described herein.

In some embodiments, system 300 can include a web server 310 and/or astore computer 360. Web server 310 and/or store computer 360 can each bea computer system, such as computer system 100 (FIG. 1 ), as describedabove, and can each be a single computer, a single server, or a clusteror collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers orservers. In another embodiment, a single computer system can host eachof two or more of web server 310 and/or store computer 360. In these orother embodiments, web server 310 and/or store computer 360 can comprisea second system 400, which is described in further detail below.Additional details regarding web server 310 and/or store computer 360are described herein.

In many embodiments, system 300 also can comprise user computers 330,331. In other embodiments, user computers 330, 331 are external tosystem 300. User computers 330, 331 can comprise any of the elementsdescribed in relation to computer system 100. In some embodiments, usercomputers 330, 331 can be mobile devices. A mobile electronic device canrefer to a portable electronic device (e.g., an electronic device easilyconveyable by hand by a person of average size) with the capability topresent audio and/or visual data (e.g., text, images, videos, music,etc.). For example, a mobile electronic device can comprise at least oneof a digital media player, a cellular telephone (e.g., a smartphone), apersonal digital assistant, a handheld digital computer device (e.g., atablet personal computer device), a laptop computer device (e.g., anotebook computer device, a netbook computer device), a wearable usercomputer device, or another portable computer device with the capabilityto present audio and/or visual data (e.g., images, videos, music, etc.).Thus, in many examples, a mobile electronic device can comprise a volumeand/or weight sufficiently small as to permit the mobile electronicdevice to be easily conveyable by hand. For examples, in someembodiments, a mobile electronic device can occupy a volume of less thanor equal to approximately 1790 cubic centimeters, 2434 cubiccentimeters, 2876 cubic centimeters, 4056 cubic centimeters, and/or 5752cubic centimeters. Further, in these embodiments, a mobile electronicdevice can weigh less than or equal to 15.6 Newtons, 17.8 Newtons, 22.3Newtons, 31.2 Newtons, and/or 44.5 Newtons.

Exemplary mobile electronic devices can comprise (i) an iPod®, iPhone®,iTouch®, iPad®, MacBook® or similar product by Apple Inc. of Cupertino,California, United States of America, (ii) a Blackberry® or similarproduct by Research in Motion (RIM) of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, (iii)a Lumia® or similar product by the Nokia Corporation of Keilaniemi,Espoo, Finland, and/or (iv) a Galaxy™ or similar product by the SamsungGroup of Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea. Further, in the same ordifferent embodiments, a mobile electronic device can comprise anelectronic device configured to implement one or more of (i) the iPhone®operating system by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, California, United Statesof America, (ii) the Blackberry® operating system by Research In Motion(RIM) of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, (iii) the Palm® operating system byPalm, Inc. of Sunnyvale, California, United States, (iv) the Android™operating system developed by the Open Handset Alliance, (v) the WindowsMobile™ operating system by Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Washington,United States of America, or (vi) the Symbian™ operating system by NokiaCorp. of Keilaniemi, Espoo, Finland.

Further still, the term “wearable user computer device” as used hereincan refer to an electronic device with the capability to present audioand/or visual data (e.g., text, images, videos, music, etc.) that isconfigured to be worn by a user and/or mountable (e.g., fixed) on theuser of the wearable user computer device (e.g., sometimes under or overclothing; and/or sometimes integrated with and/or as clothing and/oranother accessory, such as, for example, a hat, eyeglasses, a wristwatch, shoes, etc.). In many examples, a wearable user computer devicecan comprise a mobile electronic device, and vice versa. However, awearable user computer device does not necessarily comprise a mobileelectronic device, and vice versa.

In specific examples, a wearable user computer device can comprise ahead mountable wearable user computer device (e.g., one or more headmountable displays, one or more eyeglasses, one or more contact lenses,one or more retinal displays, etc.) or a limb mountable wearable usercomputer device (e.g., a smart watch). In these examples, a headmountable wearable user computer device can be mountable in closeproximity to one or both eyes of a user of the head mountable wearableuser computer device and/or vectored in alignment with a field of viewof the user.

In more specific examples, a head mountable wearable user computerdevice can comprise (i) Google Glass™ product or a similar product byGoogle Inc. of Menlo Park, California, United States of America; (ii)the Eye Tap™ product, the Laser Eye Tap™ product, or a similar productby ePI Lab of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and/or (iii) the Raptyr™product, the STAR 1200™ product, the Vuzix Smart Glasses M100™ product,or a similar product by Vuzix Corporation of Rochester, New York, UnitedStates of America. In other specific examples, a head mountable wearableuser computer device can comprise the Virtual Retinal Display™ product,or similar product by the University of Washington of Seattle,Washington, United States of America. Meanwhile, in further specificexamples, a limb mountable wearable user computer device can comprisethe iWatch™ product, or similar product by Apple Inc. of Cupertino,California, United States of America, the Galaxy Gear or similar productof Samsung Group of Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea, the Moto 360product or similar product of Motorola of Schaumburg, Illinois, UnitedStates of America, and/or the Zip™ product, One™ product, Flex™ product,Charge™ product, Surge™ product, or similar product by Fitbit Inc. ofSan Francisco, California, United States of America.

In many embodiments, system 300 can comprise graphical user interface(“GUI”) 350-353. In the same or different embodiments, GUI 350-353 canbe part of and/or displayed by user computers 330, 331, which also canbe part of system 300. In some embodiments, GUI 350-353 can comprisetext and/or graphics (image) based user interfaces. In the same ordifferent embodiments, GUI 350-353 can comprise a heads up display(“HUD”). When GUI 350-353 comprises a HUD, GUI 350-353 can be projectedonto glass or plastic, displayed in midair as a hologram, or displayedon monitor 106 (FIG. 1 ). In various embodiments, GUI 350-353 can becolor or black and white. In many embodiments, GUI 350-353 can comprisean application running on a computer system, such as computer system100, user computers 330, 331, server computer 310, and/or store computer360. In the same or different embodiments, GUI 350-353 can comprise awebsite accessed through internet 320. In some embodiments, GUI 350-353can comprise an eCommerce website. In the same or different embodiments,GUI 350-353 can be displayed as or on a virtual reality (VR) and/oraugmented reality (AR) system or display. In some embodiments, aninteraction with a GUI can comprise a click, a look, a selection, agrab, a view, a purchase, a bid, a swipe, a pinch, etc.

In some embodiments, web server 320 can be in data communication throughInternet 320 with user computers (e.g., 350-353). In certainembodiments, user computers 350-351 can be desktop computers, laptopcomputers, smart phones, tablet devices, and/or other endpoint devices.Web server 310 and/or store computer 360 can host one or more websites.For example, web server 310 and/or store computer 360 can host aneCommerce website that allows users to browse and/or search forproducts, to add products to an electronic shopping cart, and/or topurchase products, in addition to other suitable activities.

In many embodiments, web server 310 and/or store computer 360 can eachcomprise one or more input devices (e.g., one or more keyboards, one ormore keypads, one or more pointing devices such as a computer mouse orcomputer mice, one or more touchscreen displays, a microphone, etc.),and/or can each comprise one or more display devices (e.g., one or moremonitors, one or more touch screen displays, projectors, etc.). In theseor other embodiments, one or more of the input device(s) can be similaror identical to keyboard 104 (FIG. 1 ) and/or a mouse 110 (FIG. 1 ).Further, one or more of the display device(s) can be similar oridentical to monitor 106 (FIG. 1 ) and/or screen 108 (FIG. 1 ). Theinput device(s) and the display device(s) can be coupled to theprocessing module(s) and/or the memory storage module(s) web server 310and/or store computer 360 in a wired manner and/or a wireless manner,and the coupling can be direct and/or indirect, as well as locallyand/or remotely. As an example of an indirect manner (which may or maynot also be a remote manner), a keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) switch can beused to couple the input device(s) and the display device(s) to theprocessing module(s) and/or the memory storage module(s). In someembodiments, the KVM switch also can be part of web server 310 and/orstore computer 360. In a similar manner, the processing module(s) andthe memory storage module(s) can be local and/or remote to each other.

In many embodiments, web server 310 and/or store computer 360 can beconfigured to communicate with one or more user computers 330 and 331.In some embodiments, user computers 330 and 331 also can be referred toas customer computers and/or picker computers. In some embodiments, webserver 310 and/or store computer 360 can communicate or interface (e.g.,interact) with one or more user computers 330 and 331 through a networkor internet 330. Internet 330 can be an intranet that is not open to thepublic. Accordingly, in many embodiments, web server 310 and/or storecomputer 360 (and/or the software used by such systems) can refer to aback end of system 300 operated by an operator and/or administrator ofsystem 300, and user computers 350-353 (and/or the software used by suchsystems) can refer to a front end of system 300 used by one or moreusers 340, 341, respectively. In some embodiments, users 340, 341 canalso be referred to as customers, in which case, user computers 330, 331can be referred to as customer computers. In other embodiments, users340, 341 can be referred to as pickers, in which case, user computers330, 331 can be referred to as picker computers. In these or otherembodiments, the operator and/or administrator of system 300 can managesystem 300, the processing module(s) of system 300, and/or the memorystorage module(s) of system 300 using the input device(s) and/or displaydevice(s) of system 300.

Meanwhile, in many embodiments, web server 310 and/or store computer 360also can be configured to communicate with one or more databases. Theone or more databases can comprise a product database that containsinformation about products, items, or SKUs (stock keeping units) sold bya retailer. The one or more databases can be stored on one or morememory storage modules (e.g., non-transitory memory storage module(s)),which can be similar or identical to the one or more memory storagemodule(s) (e.g., non-transitory memory storage module(s)) describedabove with respect to computer system 100 (FIG. 1 ). Also, in someembodiments, for any particular database of the one or more databases,that particular database can be stored on a single memory storage moduleof the memory storage module(s), and/or the non-transitory memorystorage module(s) storing the one or more databases or the contents ofthat particular database can be spread across multiple ones of thememory storage module(s) and/or non-transitory memory storage module(s)storing the one or more databases, depending on the size of theparticular database and/or the storage capacity of the memory storagemodule(s) and/or non-transitory memory storage module(s).

The one or more databases can each comprise a structured (e.g., indexed)collection of data and can be managed by any suitable databasemanagement systems configured to define, create, query, organize,update, and manage database(s). Exemplary database management systemscan include MySQL (Structured Query Language) Database, PostgreSQLDatabase, Microsoft SQL Server Database, Oracle Database, SAP (Systems,Applications, & Products) Database, IBM DB2 Database, and/or NoSQLDatabase.

Meanwhile, communication between web server 310 and/or store computer360, and/or the one or more databases can be implemented using anysuitable manner of wired and/or wireless communication. Accordingly,system 300 can comprise any software and/or hardware componentsconfigured to implement the wired and/or wireless communication.Further, the wired and/or wireless communication can be implementedusing any one or any combination of wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork topologies (e.g., ring, line, tree, bus, mesh, star, daisychain, hybrid, etc.) and/or protocols (e.g., personal area network (PAN)protocol(s), local area network (LAN) protocol(s), wide area network(WAN) protocol(s), cellular network protocol(s), powerline networkprotocol(s), etc.). Exemplary PAN protocol(s) can comprise Bluetooth,Zigbee, Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB), Z-Wave, etc.; exemplary LANand/or WAN protocol(s) can comprise Institute of Electrical andElectronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 (also known as Ethernet), IEEE 802.11(also known as WiFi), etc.; and exemplary wireless cellular networkprotocol(s) can comprise Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM),General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Code Division Multiple Access(CDMA), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), Enhanced Data Rates for GSMEvolution (EDGE), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS),Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), Digital AMPS(IS-136/Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)), Integrated DigitalEnhanced Network (iDEN), Evolved High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA+),Long-Term Evolution (LTE), WiMAX, etc. The specific communicationsoftware and/or hardware implemented can depend on the networktopologies and/or protocols implemented, and vice versa. In manyembodiments, exemplary communication hardware can comprise wiredcommunication hardware including, for example, one or more data buses,such as, for example, universal serial bus(es), one or more networkingcables, such as, for example, coaxial cable(s), optical fiber cable(s),and/or twisted pair cable(s), any other suitable data cable, etc.Further exemplary communication hardware can comprise wirelesscommunication hardware including, for example, one or more radiotransceivers, one or more infrared transceivers, etc. Additionalexemplary communication hardware can comprise one or more networkingcomponents (e.g., modulator-demodulator components, gateway components,etc.).

In many embodiments, the techniques described herein can provide apractical application and several technological improvements. In someembodiments, the techniques described herein can provide for improvedprocessing times for pick path optimization. These techniques describedherein can provide a significant improvement over conventionalapproaches of pick path optimization, such as ant colony optimization.In many embodiments, the techniques described herein can beneficiallymake determinations based on dynamic order information that iscontinually fed into the system and efficiently optimized in real time.

In a number of embodiments, the techniques described herein can solve atechnical problem that arises only within the realm of computernetworks, as pick path optimization system do not exist outside therealm of computer networks.

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart for amethod 400, according to an embodiment. Method 400 is merely exemplaryand is not limited to the embodiments presented herein. Method 400 canbe employed in many different embodiments or examples not specificallydepicted or described herein. In some embodiments, the activities ofmethod 400 can be performed in the order presented. In otherembodiments, the activities of method 400 can be performed in anysuitable order. In still other embodiments, one or more of theactivities of method 400 can be combined or skipped. In manyembodiments, system 300 (FIG. 3 ) can be suitable to perform method 400and/or one or more of the activities of method 400. In these or otherembodiments, one or more of the activities of method 400 can beimplemented as one or more computer instructions configured to run atone or more processing modules and configured to be stored at one ormore non-transitory memory storage modules. Such non-transitory memorystorage modules can be part of a computer system such as web server 310and/or store computer 360 (FIG. 3 ). The processing module(s) can besimilar or identical to the processing module(s) described above withrespect to computer system 100 (FIG. 1 ).

In many embodiments, method 400 can comprise an activity 401 ofreceiving one or more orders. In some embodiments, one or more orderscan be placed via user computers 330-331 (FIG. 3 ) and/or store computer360 (FIG. 3 ). In these or other embodiments, one or more orders can beentered into user computers 330-331 (FIG. 3 ) and/or store computer 360(FIG. 3 ) via GUIs 350-351 (FIG. 3 ) and/or GUI 353 (FIG. 3 ). Invarious embodiments, orders can be placed via an ecommerce websitedisplayed on user computers 330-331 (FIG. 3 ) and/or store computer 353(FIG. 3 ). In many embodiments, an order can comprise one or more items.In various embodiments, the one or more items can be store in a brickand mortar store and/or a warehouse. In the embodiment of FIG. 4 , thereare three orders.

In many embodiments, method 400 can comprise an activity 402 ofsplitting an order into one or more totes. In some embodiments, a totecan comprise a container configured to hold one or more items. In theseor other embodiments, one or more totes can be configured to be loadedonto a cart. In this way, one or more totes can travel around a brickand mortar store and/or a warehouse with a picker during a pick walk.Each picker can bring pull one or more carts with such picker during thepick walk of the picker. In various embodiments, each of the totes usedin method 400 are identical to each other in size, shape, volume,carrying capacity, etc., and in other embodiments, different totes canhave different sizes, shapes, volumes, carrying capacities, etc.Similarly, in various embodiments, each of the carts used in method 400are identical to each other in size, shape, volume, carrying capacity,etc., and in other embodiments, different totes can have differentsizes, shapes, volumes, carrying capacities, etc. As used herein, a“pick walk” refers to a path taken by a picker to collect items(s) of anorder. In many embodiments, activity 402 can comprise method 500 (FIG. 5). In other embodiments, activity 402 can comprise one or more of and/orportions of one or more activities of method 500 (FIG. 5 ). In variousembodiments, activity 402 can be performed without any part of method500 (FIG. 5 ). In the embodiment of FIG. 4 , the three orders fromactivity 401 are split into different numbers of totes—the first ordershas three totes; the second order has two totes; and the third order hasa single tote.

In many embodiments, method 400 can comprise an activity 403 of batchingone or more totes. In some embodiments, activity 403 can comprise method600 (FIG. 6 ). In other embodiments, activity 403 can comprise one ormore and/or portions of one or more activities of method 600 (FIG. 6 ).In various embodiments, activity 403 can be performed without any partof method 600 (FIG. 6 ). In various embodiments, batching can compriseassigning one or more totes to one or more pickers for a pick walk, suchthat one or more pickers can be assigned to pick the respective itemsfor any single order. In the embodiment of FIG. 4 , the single tote ofthe third order is batched into a first picklist; two totes from thefirst order are batched into a second picklist; and a third tote fromthe first order and the two totes from the second order are batched intoa third picklist.

In many embodiments, method 400 can comprise an activity 404facilitating displaying a picklist on an electronic device or storecomputer 360 (FIG. 3 ). In various embodiments, a picklist can compriseone or more totes for one or more orders. In some embodiments, a storecomputer can be carried by a picker during a pick walk. In these orother embodiments, a map of a store and/or a warehouse can be displayed,and the map can comprise directions for the pick walk. In variousembodiments, directions for a pick walk can comprise turn by turndirections and/or a route overlaid or displayed on the map.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4 , a first pick list can beshown on a first store computer or electronic device for a first picker,and the first pick list can comprise the single tote for the thirdorder. In this same embodiment of FIG. 4 , a second pick list can beshown on a second store computer or electronic device for a secondpicker, and the second pick list can comprise two totes for the firstorder. Also in this same embodiment of FIG. 4 , a third pick list can beshown on a third store computer or electronic device for a third picker,and the third pick list can comprise three totes—the third tote for thefirst order and the two totes for the second order. In this embodiment,a single picker is assigned to pick all of the items in the third order,and a different single picker is assigned to pick all of the items inthe second order, and a third picker and the different single picker areassigned to pick the items in the first order.

In a different embodiment, as also can be illustrated by FIG. 4 , thethree aforementioned pick lists can be transmitted to a singleelectronic device for a single picker, who is assigned to pick the firstpick list first, and then the second pick list, and the third pick last.This different embodiment can be useful, for example, when there aretime constraints for the third order to be picked before the first andsecond orders. In another embodiment, as also can be illustrated by FIG.4 , if the time constraints for the three orders do not impact thepicking order for the pick lists, then the three aforementioned picklists can be transmitted to a single electronic device for a singlepicker, who can pick the three pick lists in any order, as long as thesingle picker completely picks all of the items in one pick list beforebeginning to pick any items for the next pick list. Other embodimentsalso are possible.

In many embodiments, after the items are picked for an order, activity404 can further comprise displaying packing instructions on a storecomputer 360. In these or other embodiments, packing instructions cancomprise directions on packing items of an order into one or morecontainers for receipt by a user, particularly when one or more of theitems should be kept at one temperature (i.e., cold) while other itemscan be kept at a different temperature (i.e., room temperature). Invarious embodiments, an order and/or a portion of an order can be pickedup by a user at a brick and mortar store. In these or other embodiments,an order and/or a portion of an order can be delivered to a user at oneor more addresses.

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart for amethod 500, according to an embodiment. Method 500 is merely exemplaryand is not limited to the embodiments presented herein. Method 500 canbe employed in many different embodiments or examples not specificallydepicted or described herein. In some embodiments, the activities ofmethod 500 can be performed in the order presented. In otherembodiments, the activities of method 500 can be performed in anysuitable order. In still other embodiments, one or more of theactivities of method 500 can be combined or skipped. In manyembodiments, system 300 (FIG. 3 ) can be suitable to perform method 500and/or one or more of the activities of method 500. In these or otherembodiments, one or more of the activities of method 500 can beimplemented as one or more computer instructions configured to run atone or more processing modules and configured to be stored at one ormore non-transitory memory storage modules. Such non-transitory memorystorage modules can be part of a computer system such as web server 310and/or store computer 360 (FIG. 3 ). The processing module(s) can besimilar or identical to the processing module(s) described above withrespect to computer system 100 (FIG. 1 ).

In many embodiments, method 500 can comprise an activity 501 ofreceiving a number of totes. In various embodiments, a number of totescan be determined using an order received in activity 401 (FIG. 4 ). Insome embodiments, items in an order can be ordered by sequence ID, andtotes comprising the items can be created using the sequence ID for eachrespective item. In some embodiments, a sequence ID can correspond withan items location in a warehouse and/or brick a mortar store. In manyembodiments, items can be sorted, filtered, and/ordered using a sequenceID. In these or other embodiments, items can be placed into totes usinga sequence ID. In many embodiments, an a list of items can be placedsequentially into a tote using a sequence ID as forted, filtered, and/orordered. In some embodiments, items can be place into a tote until amaximum weight capacity of a tote and/or a maximum volume capacity of atote is reached and/or exceeded. In these or other embodiments, a newtote can be added to an order when a maximum weight capacity of a toteand/or a maximum volume capacity of a tote is reached and/or exceeded.In various embodiments, a number of totes can be determined by summing anumber of totes added to an order. In some embodiments, a number oftotes for an order can be received with an order in activity 501. Inthese embodiments, a number of totes can be determined by an exogenoussystem. In various embodiments, a number of totes can be determinedbefore or during activity 501. In some embodiments, a number of totescan be determined in parallel with activity 501.

In many embodiments, method 500 can comprise an activity 502 ofdetermining when a number of totes can be reduced. In some embodiments,a first set of rules can be used to determine when a number of totes canbe reduced. In many embodiments, method 500 can optionally comprise anactivity 503 of determining a theoretical minimum number of totes. Insome embodiments, activity 503 can be performed after and/or as a partof activity 502. In various embodiments, activity 503 can be performedentirely separate from activity 502. In these or other embodiments, afirst set of rules can comprise calculating a theoretical minimum numberof totes for an order. In many embodiments, calculating a theoreticalminimum number of totes can comprise calculating a total weight for anorder using a weight of each item in the order. In these embodiments, atotal weight for an order can then be divided by a maximum weightcapacity of a tote to determine a theoretical minimum number of totes.In these or other embodiments, calculating a theoretical minimum numberof totes can comprise calculating a total volume for an order using avolume of each item in the order. In these embodiments, a total volumefor an order can then be divided by a maximum volume capacity of a toteto determine a theoretical minimum number of totes. In some embodiments,a maximum weight capacity of a tote and/or a maximum volume capacity ofa tote can comprise a Boolean value that indicates when a maximum weightcapacity of a tote and/or a maximum volume capacity of a tote can beapplied to an order and/or a tote within the order.

In many embodiments, method 500 can further optionally comprise anactivity 504 of comparing a theoretical minimum number of totes to thenumber of totes received in activity 501. In some embodiments, activity504 can be performed after and/or as a part of activity 502. In variousembodiments, activity 504 can be performed entirely separate fromactivity 502. Activity 504 can be performed before or after activity503.

In some embodiments, when a theoretical minimum number of totes is equalto the number of totes received, method 500 can terminate. In someembodiments, when method 500 has terminated, activity 404 (FIG. 4 ) canbe then be performed by displaying the number of totes on a storecomputer 360 (FIG. 3 ) as part of a picklist, where the number of totesis as received in activity 501, as returned after activity 507(described below), or as returned from a previous iteration of aninfeasible totes algorithm of activity 506 (described below). In manyembodiments, when method 500 has terminated, all or a part of method 700(FIG. 7 ) can be performed. In various embodiments, when a theoreticalminimum number of totes is not equal to a number of totes, method 500can continue, as explained in the following paragraphs.

In many embodiments, method 500 can comprise an activity 505 of reducinga number of totes. In these or other embodiments, the number of totescan be received as described in activity 501, and/or returned afteractivity 507, as described below. In various embodiments, reducing anumber of totes can comprise creating a reduced number of totes.

In some embodiments, reducing a number of totes can comprise executing agreedy tote reduction algorithm using a maximum volume capacity of eachtote of one or more totes. In various embodiments, a greedy algorithmcan be configured to make a locally optimal choice at certain steps ofan algorithm. In this way, a greedy algorithm can approximate and/orfind a global optimum. In some embodiments, a greedy algorithm canapproximate and/or find a globally optimal solution in a reasonableamount of time using a shorter (e.g. faster and/or with fewer burdens ona processor) and/or less data intensive process than traditionaloptimization algorithms. In many embodiments, a tote reduction algorithmcan be greedy when the algorithm is configured to choose a locallyoptimal choice based on a weight of an item and/or a volume of an item.In many embodiments, a locally optimal choice can comprise choosingitems of highest volume and/or weight first. In this way, a greedy totereduction algorithm can approximate and/or find a globally optimalarrangement of items within totes. In these or other embodiments, amaximum volume capacity can be the same for each tote of the one or moretotes. In some embodiments, the maximum volume capacity can bedifferent, in which case a different greedy tote reduction algorithm canbe used. In many embodiments, reducing a number of totes can compriseexecuting a greedy tote reduction algorithm using a maximum weightcapacity of each tote of one or more totes. In these or otherembodiments, a maximum weight capacity can be the same for each tote ofthe one or more totes. In some embodiments, the maximum weight capacitycan be different, in which case a different greedy tote reductionalgorithm can be used. In various embodiments, a greedy tote reductionalgorithm can comprise an infeasible tote loop, as described in furtherdetail below. In some embodiments, a reduced number of totes can bedetermined when an infeasible totes loop and/or a portion of aninfeasible totes loop terminates. In these embodiments, a reduced numberof totes, as determined via executing the greedy tote reductionalgorithm and ending the infeasible totes loop, can be set as the numberof totes for the order.

Accordingly, in many embodiments, method 500 can optionally comprise anactivity 506 of executing (i.e. running) an infeasible totes loop. Invarious embodiments, activity 506 can be performed as a part of and/orafter activity 505. In many embodiments, activity 506 can be performedcompletely separate from activity 505. In various embodiments, a secondset of rules can comprise an infeasible totes loop. In variousembodiments, an infeasible totes loop can be used to determine a reducednumber of totes. In many embodiments, an infeasible tote loop cancomprise all or a part of a set of instructions embodied in pseudocodeshown in FIG. 6 . In some embodiments, an infeasible totes loop cancomprise determining a theoretical number of totes, as described inactivity 503. In various embodiments, a theoretical minimum number oftotes can be compared to the number of totes received or determined, asdescribed above and below. For example, in these embodiments, the numberof totes can be a number of totes received, as described in 501. Asanother example, in other embodiments, the number of totes can be thenumber of totes as returned from a previous iteration of an infeasibletotes algorithm or portions of an infeasible totes algorithm. As afurther example, in these embodiments, the number of totes can be anumber of totes, as returned after activity 507 (described below).

In some embodiments, when a theoretical minimum number of totes is equalto a number of totes, an infeasible totes algorithm can terminate. Insome embodiments, when the infeasible totes algorithm has terminated,activity 404 (FIG. 4 ) can be then be performed by displaying the numberof totes, as received or determined, as described above and below, on astore computer 360 (FIG. 3 ) as part of a picklist. In many embodiments,when an infeasible totes algorithm has terminated, all or a part ofmethod 700 (FIG. 7 ) can be performed. In various embodiments, when atheoretical minimum number of totes is not equal to the number of totes,then the number of totes can be determined to be reducible.

In many embodiments, an infeasible totes loop can proceed when atheoretical minimum number of totes is less than or equal to a number oftotes, as received or determined. In these or other embodiments, aninfeasible tote loop can comprise creating one or more infeasible totesusing items in totes comprising the number of totes. In someembodiments, an infeasible tote can comprise a tote that cannot existbecause it violates a maximum weight and/or maximum volume restriction(i.e. capacity) of the tote. In many embodiments, an infeasible tote canbe created by adding items into a theoretical minimum number of totes.In these or other embodiments, an item (or an item of items remaining inan order) with a largest volume and/or a largest weight can be addedfirst. In various embodiments, remaining items can be added to each toteof the theoretical minimum number of totes having a largest remainingvolume capacity and/or a largest remaining weight capacity. In these orother embodiments, items can be added to a tote of the theoreticalminimum number of totes until a last item added to the tote violates amaximum weight and/or maximum volume restriction of the tote. In theseor other embodiments, an infeasible tote ratio can be determined foreach tote created. In many embodiments, an infeasible tote ratio cancomprise a sum of an unused ratio in weight, an overused ratio inweight, an unused ratio in volume, and/or an overused ratio in volume.In many embodiments, an unused and/or overused ratio in weight can be aratio between a total weight of item(s) in the tote to a maximum weightof the tote. In these or other embodiments, an unused and/or overusedratio in volume can be a ratio between a total volume of item(s) in thetote to a maximum volume of the tote.

In various embodiments, an infeasible tote loop can proceed by adding aheaviest item of an order to a tote having a smallest infeasible toteratio. After doing so, if the items in the tote violate the maximumweight and/or maximum volume of the tote, then the infeasible loop canrepeat by adding remaining heaviest items, one at a time, of the orderto the tote until the tote is full (i.e., the maximum weight and/ormaximum volume is reached) and/or until there are no more remainingitems of the order to add to the tote. Then, a remaining tote having thesecond smallest infeasible tote ratio is filled by adding a remainingheaviest item of the order to the remaining tote. After doing so, if theitems in the remaining tote violate the maximum weight and/or maximumvolume of the remaining tote, then the infeasible loop can repeat againby adding remaining heaviest items, one at a time, of the order to theremaining tote until the remaining tote is full (i.e., the maximumweight and/or maximum volume is reached) and/or until there are no moreremaining items of the order to add to the remaining tote. This processis repeated until there are no more remaining items to add to aremaining tote.

In many embodiments, an infeasible totes loop can comprise executing alarge scale neighborhood search using infeasible tote ratios. In variousembodiments, a neighborhood search can be configured to identifynear-optimal and/or optimal solutions to an optimization problem byrepeatedly transforming a current solution into a different solution ina neighborhood of a current solution. In some embodiments a neighborhoodof a solution can comprise a set of similar solutions obtained by makingmodifications to an original solution. In many embodiments, aneighborhood search can be performed on a larger, and in someembodiments, exponentially sized neighborhood. In these embodiments, alarge scale neighborhood search can outperform a neighborhood searchbecause local improvements are larger, and therefore allows aneighborhood search to escape from a local minima to find a more optimalsolution. In these or other embodiments, a large scale neighborhoodsearch can comprise an item exhaustive large scale neighborhood search.In these or other embodiments, an item exhaustive search can determinemost or all possible combinations of items that can be swapped betweentotes, thereby searching for a best swap. In many embodiments, an itemexhaustive large scale neighborhood search can continue until no savingscan be found and/or it reaches a maximum number of iterations.

In many embodiments, a third set of rules can comprise an itemexhaustive large scale neighborhood search. In some embodiments, an itemexhaustive large scale neighborhood search can be referred to as a largescale neighborhood search. In these or other embodiments, a large scaleneighborhood search can comprise determining when items can be swappedbetween two totes. In these or other embodiments, determining when itemscan be swapped can comprise selecting two items from two differenttotes. In various embodiments, all possible swaps for an order can bedetermined. In many embodiments, four infeasible tote ratios can bedetermined using the two items from two different totes. In variousembodiments, the four infeasible tote ratios can be computed for theoriginal two totes and modified two totes created by swapping the twoitems between the original two totes, where each of the four totes has adifferent one of the four infeasible tote ratios. In some embodiments, asavings of a swap can be determined using the four infeasible toteratios. In these or other embodiments, a savings of a swap can bedetermined by subtracting a sum of the infeasible tote ratios of twototes created by swapping from a sum of the infeasible tote ratios ofthe two totes. In many embodiments, all possible swaps for an order canbe determined. In some embodiments, swaps that create a negative savingscan be discarded and/or filtered out. In embodiments where all swapscreate a negative savings, an infeasible loop can be terminated. In someembodiments, when an infeasible totes algorithm has terminated, activity404 (FIG. 4 ) can be then be performed by displaying the number oftotes, as received or determined, as described herein, on a storecomputer 360 (FIG. 3 ) as part of a picklist. In various embodiments,when an infeasible totes algorithm has terminated, all or a part ofmethod 700 (FIG. 7 ) can be performed.

In many embodiments, swaps that create a positive savings (or a list ofall swaps when discarding/filtering is not performed) can be sorted frommost savings to least savings. In these or other embodiments, a swapwith a highest savings can be made. In some embodiments, each tote in alarge scale neighborhood search can have only one swap performed usingit. In various embodiments, a large scale neighborhood search canproceed by determining when a tote in the large scale neighborhoodsearch violates a maximum weight and/or maximum volume restriction of atote. In many embodiments, when no totes in a large scale neighborhoodsearch violate a maximum weight and/or maximum volume restriction of atote, an infeasible totes algorithm can terminate. In some embodiments,when an infeasible totes algorithm has terminated, activity 404 (FIG. 4) can be then be performed by displaying, an electronic device to thepicker, the number of totes, as received or determined, as describedherein. In various embodiments, when an infeasible totes algorithm hasterminated, all or a part of method 700 (FIG. 7 ) can be performed. Inembodiments where one or more totes in a large scale neighborhood searchviolate a maximum weight and/or maximum volume restriction of a tote(e.g., when a swap cannot be made), a number of totes used in all or aportion of an infeasible totes loop can be increased, and the infeasibletotes loop can be repeated until all totes adhere to the maximum weightand maximum volume restriction of the tote.

Returning now to FIG. 5 , in many embodiments, method 500 can comprisean activity 507 of comparing a number of totes to a reduced number oftotes. In some embodiments, when a reduced number of totes is equal tothe number of totes for an order, method 500 can be completed, andactivity 404 (FIG. 4 ) can be performed by displaying, on an electronicdevice to a picker, the number of totes of the order or as returned ordetermined, as described herein. In many embodiments, all or a part ofmethod 700 (FIG. 7 ) can be performed when a reduced number of totes isequal to a number of totes for an order. In embodiments where a reducednumber of totes for the order is not equal to (or is less than) thepreviously calculated number of totes for the order, then, totes of thereduced number of totes can be set to be the number of totes of theorder, and all or portions (i.e., at least activities 505 and 507) ofmethod 500 can be performed again to further reduce the number of totesfor the order.

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart for amethod 700, according to an embodiment. Method 700 is merely exemplaryand is not limited to the embodiments presented herein. Method 700 canbe employed in many different embodiments or examples not specificallydepicted or described herein. In some embodiments, the activities ofmethod 700 can be performed in the order presented. In otherembodiments, the activities of method 700 can be performed in anysuitable order. In still other embodiments, one or more of theactivities of method 700 can be combined or skipped. In manyembodiments, system 300 (FIG. 3 ) can be suitable to perform method 700and/or one or more of the activities of method 700. In these or otherembodiments, one or more of the activities of method 700 can beimplemented as one or more computer instructions configured to run atone or more processing modules and configured to be stored at one ormore non-transitory memory storage modules. Such non-transitory memorystorage modules can be part of a computer system such as web server 310and/or store computer 360 (FIG. 3 ). The processing module(s) can besimilar or identical to the processing module(s) described above withrespect to computer system 100 (FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, all or aportion of method 700 can be performed after method 500 (FIG. 5 ). Invarious embodiments, all or portions of method 700 can be performedindependently of method 500 (FIG. 5 ).

In many embodiments, method 700 can comprise an activity 701 ofexecuting a randomized greedy incremental batcher loop. In someembodiments, a randomized greedy incremental batcher loop can beconfigured to identify and/or perform a merge when the merge results ina maximum savings (thereby selecting a locally optimal solution). Inthese or other embodiments, executing a randomized greedy incrementalbatcher loop can comprise performing activities 702-703. In variousembodiments, activities 702-703 can be performed without executing arandomized greedy incremental batcher loop. In many embodiments, arandomized greedy incremental batcher loop can comprise all or a part ofa set of instructions embodied in pseudocode shown in FIG. 8 .

Returning now to FIG. 7 , in many embodiments, method 700 can comprisean activity 702 of selecting a first picklist. In some embodiments, afirst picklist can be received with one or more picklists. In these orother embodiments, one or more picklists can have been generated usingall or a part of activity 401 (FIG. 4 ), all or a part of activity 402(FIG. 4 ), and/or all or a part of method 500 (FIG. 5 ). In manyembodiments, selecting a first picklist can comprise receiving one ormore totes. In these or other embodiments, each tote can be assigned toone or more picklists. In various embodiments, only one tote can beassigned to each of one or more picklists. In many embodiments, eachpicklist can have its own cost calculated for it. In variousembodiments, a cost can function as a proxy for an approximate amount oftime it will take a picker to pick a picklist. In these or otherembodiments, a cost can be calculated by summing a total walk time of apick, a total turn time of a pick, a total line time of a pick, a totalprocessing time of a pick, and/or a total setup time of a pick. In someembodiments, a total walk time of a pick can comprise an amount of timea picker performing the pick is predicted to be walking. In manyembodiments, a total turn time of a pick can comprise an amount of timea picker performing the pick is predicted to be turning while walking topick the next item. In these or other embodiments, a total line time ofa pick can comprise an amount of time a picker performing the pick ispredicted to be standing in line waiting at the deli counter, the meatcounter, the seafood counter, the bakery, the checkout line, etc. If thepicking is performed in a retail store (and not in a warehouse), thetotal line time can vary depending on the time of day and how busy thestore is during that time of day. In various embodiments, a totalprocessing time of a pick can comprise an amount of time a pickerperforming the pick is predicted to be scanning and packing items of thepick. In the same or different embodiments a total setup time of a pickcan comprise an amount of time a picker performing the pick is predictedto be setting up, labeling, and/or packing one or more totes of thepick.

In many embodiments, one or more picklists can be sorted by cost. Inthese or other embodiments, a picklist with a lowest cost can beselected, and a remainder of one or more picklists can be retained. Invarious embodiments, one or more potential mergers between a picklistwith a lowest cost and a remainder of one or more picklists can bedetermined in an activity 703 of method 700. In the same or differentembodiments, a cost can be calculated for each of one or more potentialmergers as described above. In many embodiments, a savings for each ofone or more potential mergers can be calculated using a cost for each ofone or more potential mergers and a cost of a picklist with a lowestcost. In these or other embodiments, a savings can be calculated bysubtracting a cost of a picklist with a lowest cost from a cost of eachof one or more potential mergers. In some embodiments, a negativesavings can be a proxy for an inefficient merge, and/or a positivesavings can be a proxy for an efficient merge. In many embodiments, amerger of one or more potential merger having a highest savings can beselected. In various embodiments, a merger having a highest savings canbe set to be and/or used as a picklist with a lowest cost, and theaforementioned merging algorithm can be performed again using the mergerhaving the highest savings and a remainder of one or more picklistshaving not been merged.

In embodiments where savings for all mergers are negative, the mostrecent round of potential mergers can be unmerged or deleted, therebyleaving a picklist with a lowest cost and a remainder of one or morepicklists. In some embodiments, the picklist with a lowest cost cancomprise a merged picklist. In these or other embodiments, a picklistwith the lowest cost can then be retained, and a greedy incrementalbatcher loop can be repeated using the remainder of one or morepicklists. In many embodiments, a greedy incremental batcher loop canterminate when only one picklist remains in a remainder of one or morepicklists.

In many embodiments, method 700 can comprise an activity 704 ofexecuting a randomized tote local search loop. In some embodiments, arandomized tote local search loop can be configured to move fromsolution to solution in a space of candidate solutions (e.g., the searchspace) by applying local changes, until a solution deemed optimal isfound or a time bound (e.g., a maximum number of iterations) haselapsed. In these or other embodiments, executing a randomized totelocal search loop can comprise performing activities 705-706. In variousembodiments, activities 705-706 can be performed without executing arandomized tote local search loop. In many embodiments, a randomizedtote local search loop can comprise all or a part of a set ofinstructions embodied in pseudocode shown in FIG. 9 .

Returning now to FIG. 7 , in many embodiments, method 700 can comprisean activity 705 of selecting two random picklists of one or morepicklists. In some embodiments, two random picklists can comprise one ormore merged picklists, as created by at least a portion of a randomizedgreedy incremental batcher loop. In these or other embodiments, a firstrandom picklist can be randomly selected using a weighted technique. Inthe same or different embodiments, a weighted technique can beconfigured to weight a randomness of a selection of a first randompicklist towards selecting a most expensive picklist of one or morepicklists. In these or other embodiments, a randomness of a selection ofa first random picklist can be determined using a roulette wheelselection algorithm. In many embodiments, a roulette wheel selectionalgorithm can be weighted by an average tote cost per picklist of one ormore picklists. In many embodiments, an average tote cost per picklistcan be determined by summing a cost of each tote, and then dividing by anumber of totes in a picklist. In some embodiments, a second randompicklist can be randomly selected using a heuristic that approximatestrue randomness. In these or other embodiments, a randomness of aselection of a second random picklist can be unweighted. In variousembodiments, a picklist can comprise one or more totes. In these orother embodiments, totes in a first random picklist can be assigned anindex number having a maximum value comprising a maximum number oftotes. In various embodiments, a maximum number of totes can bedetermined via a carrying capacity of a cart.

In many embodiments, method 700 can comprise an activity 706 of swappingtotes of two random picklists when the swapping would save a cost. Insome embodiments, swapping totes of two random picklists can compriserandomly picking an index number for a first random tote and picking anindex number for a second random tote. In many embodiments, a randomlypicked index number can have a maximum value of a maximum number oftotes. In various embodiments, an index number for a first random toteand an index number for a second random tote are both assigned to totesin a random picklist. In these embodiments, a two-way swap can beperformed. In the same or different embodiments, a two-way swap cancomprise swapping a first random tote and a second random tote betweentheir respective random picklists. In many embodiments, only one indexnumber of the index numbers for the first random tote and the secondrandom tote are assigned to a tote in a random picklist. In theseembodiments, a one-way swap can be performed. In various embodiments, aone-way swap can comprise moving the tote from the random picklist tothe other random picklist. In many embodiments, a cost savings can bedetermined between a random picklist having been swapped and a firstrandom picklist, as selected above. In various embodiments, a costsavings can comprise a cost of a picklist after a swap minus a cost of apicklist prior to a swap. In embodiments where the cost savings ispositive (e.g., when swapping would decrease a cost of at least onerandom picklist of two random picklists), the resulting picklists afterthe swap can be re-incorporated into the one or more picklists, and allor a portion of a randomized tote local search loop can be repeated. Inembodiments wherein the cost savings is negative (e.g., when swappingwould increase a cost of at least one random picklist of two randompicklists), swaps can be undone and/or swapped picklists can be deleted,and at least a portion of a randomized tote local search loop can berepeated. In some embodiments where a cost savings is positive,resulting picklists the swap can be checked for one or more businessconditions. In various embodiments, one or more business conditions cancomprise a maximum volume capacity of a tote, a maximum weight capacityof a tote, and/or a maximum tote capacity of a trolley. In embodimentswhere a business condition is violated, swaps can be undone and/orswapped picklists can be deleted, and at least a portion of a randomizedtote local search loop can be repeated. In these or other embodiments, arandomized tote local search loop can be repeated a predetermined numberof iterations before terminating. In some embodiments, a predeterminednumber of iterations can be set by an administrator of system 300 (FIG.3 ).

In many embodiments, method 700 can comprise an activity 707 ofexecuting an update min trolley loop. In these or other embodiments,executing an update min trolley loop can comprise performing activities708-709. In various embodiments, activities 708-709 can be performedwithout executing an update min trolley loop. In many embodiments, anupdate min trolley loop can comprise all or a part of a set ofinstructions embodied in pseudocode shown in FIG. 10 .

Returning now to FIG. 7 , in many embodiments, method 700 can comprisean activity 708 of selecting a shortest picklist of one or morepicklists. In some embodiments, one or more picklists can comprise atleast one picklist as swapped by at least a portion of a randomized totelocal search loop. In various embodiments, a randomized tote localsearch loop can comprise a greedy algorithm. In these or otherembodiments, a shortest picklist can comprise a last picklist leftoverafter performing a one-way swap as described in activity 706. In manyembodiments, a number of totes in a shortest picklist can be compared toa maximum number of totes. In embodiments where a number of totes in ashortest picklist is equal to a maximum number of totes, an update mintrolley loop can be terminated. In some embodiments, activity 404 (FIG.4 ) can be performed after an update min trolley loop is terminated bydisplaying a number of totes of a shortest picklist and a remainder ofone or more picklists on a store computer 360 (FIG. 3 ) as part of apicklist. In embodiments where a number of totes in a shortest picklistis less than a maximum number of totes, one or more best totes of one ormore remaining totes can be determined. In some embodiments, one or morebest totes can be determined by executing an add totes to min trolleyloop. In some embodiments, an add totes to min trolley loop can compriseexecuting a local search. In these or other embodiments, executing arandomized tote local search loop can comprise performing activity 709.In various embodiments, activity 709 can be performed without executingan add totes to min trolley loop. In many embodiments, an add totes tomin trolley loop can comprise all or a part of a set of instructionsembodied in pseudocode shown in FIG. 11

Returning now to FIG. 7 , in many embodiments, method 700 can comprisean activity 709 of combining a shortest picklist with at least onepicklist when the combining would save a cost. In some embodiments, acost savings can be determined by subtracting a cost of picklistspre-merger (a sum of a cost of all totes in a picklist) with cost ofpicklists post-merger. In many embodiments, a tote with a highestsavings can be selected, and the tote with the highest savings can beremoved from its picklist and added to a shortest picklist to create acombination picklist. In various embodiments, an add totes to mintrolley loop can be repeated until no more savings can be found and/orthe combination picklist reaches a maximum number of totes.

In many embodiments, method 700 can comprise an activity 710 offacilitating displaying a combination picklist to a picker. In manyembodiments, a combination picklist can be displayed with one or moreother picklists created and/or used in method 700. In some embodiments,activity 710 can be performed as a part of and/or in addition toactivity 404 (FIG. 4 ). In these or other embodiments, activity 710 canbe performed without activity 404 (FIG. 4 ). In many embodiments,facilitating displaying a combination picklist to a picker can comprisedisplaying a number of totes on a store computer 360 (FIG. 3 ) as partof a picklist.

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of asystem 1200 that can be employed for behavior based messaging. System1200 is merely exemplary and embodiments of the system are not limitedto the embodiments presented herein. System 1200 can be employed in manydifferent embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or describedherein. In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 1200can perform various procedures, processes, and/or activities. In theseor other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or activities canbe performed by other suitable elements or modules of system 1200.

Generally, therefore, system 1200 can be implemented with hardwareand/or software, as described herein. In some embodiments, part or allof the hardware and/or software can be conventional, while in these orother embodiments, part or all of the hardware and/or software can becustomized (e.g., optimized) for implementing part or all of thefunctionality of system 1200 described herein.

In many embodiments, system 1200 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1201. Memory storage module 1201 can be referred to asnumber of totes receiving module 1201. In many embodiments, number oftotes receiving module 1201 can store computing instructions configuredto run on one or more processing modules and perform one or more acts ofmethod 500 (FIG. 5 ) (e.g., activity 501 (FIG. 5 )).

In many embodiments, system 1200 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1202. Memory storage module 1202 can be referred to asreduction determining module 1202. In many embodiments, reductiondetermining module 1202 can store computing instructions configured torun on one or more processing modules and perform one or more acts ofmethod 500 (FIG. 5 ) (e.g., activity 502 (FIG. 5 )).

In many embodiments, system 1200 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1203. Memory storage module 1203 can be referred to asminimum number of totes determining module 1203. In many embodiments,minimum number of totes determining module 1203 can store computinginstructions configured to run on one or more processing modules andperform one or more acts of method 500 (FIG. 5 ) (e.g., activity 503(FIG. 5 )).

In many embodiments, system 1200 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1204. Memory storage module 1204 can be referred to astheoretical minimum comparing module 1204. In many embodiments,theoretical minimum comparing module 1204 can store computinginstructions configured to run on one or more processing modules andperform one or more acts of method 500 (FIG. 5 ) (e.g., activity 505(FIG. 5 )).

In many embodiments, system 1200 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1205. Memory storage module 1205 can be referred to astote reducing module 1205. In many embodiments, tote reducing module1205 can store computing instructions configured to run on one or moreprocessing modules and perform one or more acts of method 500 (FIG. 5 )(e.g., activity 505 (FIG. 5 )).

In many embodiments, system 1200 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1206. Memory storage module 1206 can be referred to asinfeasible totes loop executing module 1206. In many embodiments,infeasible totes loop executing module 1206 can store computinginstructions configured to run on one or more processing modules andperform one or more acts of method 500 (FIG. 5 ) (e.g., activity 506(FIG. 5 )).

In many embodiments, system 1200 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1207. Memory storage module 1207 can be referred to asnumber of totes comparing module 1207. In many embodiments, number oftotes comparing module 1207 can store computing instructions configuredto run on one or more processing modules and perform one or more acts ofmethod 500 (FIG. 5 ) (e.g., activity 507 (FIG. 5 )).

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of asystem 1300 that can be employed for behavior based messaging. System1300 is merely exemplary and embodiments of the system are not limitedto the embodiments presented herein. System 1300 can be employed in manydifferent embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or describedherein. In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 1300can perform various procedures, processes, and/or activities. In theseor other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or activities canbe performed by other suitable elements or modules of system 1300.

Generally, therefore, system 1300 can be implemented with hardwareand/or software, as described herein. In some embodiments, part or allof the hardware and/or software can be conventional, while in these orother embodiments, part or all of the hardware and/or software can becustomized (e.g., optimized) for implementing part or all of thefunctionality of system 1300 described herein.

In many embodiments, system 1300 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1301. Memory storage module 1301 can be referred to asrandomized greedy incremental batcher module 1301. In many embodiments,randomized greedy incremental batcher module 1301 can store computinginstructions configured to run on one or more processing modules andperform one or more acts of method 700 (FIG. 7 ) (e.g., activity 701(FIG. 7 )).

In many embodiments, system 1300 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1302. Memory storage module 1302 can be referred to aspicklist selecting module 1302. In many embodiments, picklist selectingmodule 1302 can store computing instructions configured to run on one ormore processing modules and perform one or more acts of method 700 (FIG.7 ) (e.g., activity 702 (FIG. 7 )).

In many embodiments, system 1300 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1303. Memory storage module 1303 can be referred to aspicklist merging module 1303. In many embodiments, picklist mergingmodule 1303 can store computing instructions configured to run on one ormore processing modules and perform one or more acts of method 700 (FIG.7 ) (e.g., activity 703 (FIG. 7 )).

In many embodiments, system 1300 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1304. Memory storage module 1304 can be referred to asrandomized tote local search executing module 1304. In many embodiments,randomized tote local search executing module 1304 can store computinginstructions configured to run on one or more processing modules andperform one or more acts of method 700 (FIG. 7 ) (e.g., activity 704(FIG. 7 )).

In many embodiments, system 1300 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1305. Memory storage module 1305 can be referred to asrandom picklist selecting module 1305. In many embodiments, randompicklist selecting module 1305 can store computing instructionsconfigured to run on one or more processing modules and perform one ormore acts of method 700 (FIG. 7 ) (e.g., activity 705 (FIG. 7 )).

In many embodiments, system 1300 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1306. Memory storage module 1306 can be referred to astote swapping module 1306. In many embodiments, tote swapping module1306 can store computing instructions configured to run on one or moreprocessing modules and perform one or more acts of method 700 (FIG. 7 )(e.g., activity 706 (FIG. 7 )).

In many embodiments, system 1300 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1307. Memory storage module 1307 can be referred to asupdate min trolley loop executing module 1307. In many embodiments,update min trolley loop executing module 1307 can store computinginstructions configured to run on one or more processing modules andperform one or more acts of method 700 (FIG. 7 ) (e.g., activity 707(FIG. 7 )).

In many embodiments, system 1300 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1308. Memory storage module 1308 can be referred to asshortest picklist selection module 1308. In many embodiments, shortestpicklist selection module 1308 can store computing instructionsconfigured to run on one or more processing modules and perform one ormore acts of method 700 (FIG. 7 ) (e.g., activity 708 (FIG. 7 )).

In many embodiments, system 1300 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1309. Memory storage module 1309 can be referred to asshortest picklist combining module 1309. In many embodiments, shortestpicklist combining module 1309 can store computing instructionsconfigured to run on one or more processing modules and perform one ormore acts of method 700 (FIG. 7 ) (e.g., activity 709 (FIG. 7 )).

In many embodiments, system 1300 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1310. Memory storage module 1310 can be referred to asdisplay facilitating module 1310. In many embodiments, displayfacilitating module 1310 can store computing instructions configured torun on one or more processing modules and perform one or more acts ofmethod 700 (FIG. 7 ) (e.g., activity 710 (FIG. 7 )).

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 14 illustrates a block diagram of asystem 1400 that can be employed for behavior based messaging. System1400 is merely exemplary and embodiments of the system are not limitedto the embodiments presented herein. System 1400 can be employed in manydifferent embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or describedherein. In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system 1400can perform various procedures, processes, and/or activities. In theseor other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or activities canbe performed by other suitable elements or modules of system 1400.

Generally, therefore, system 1400 can be implemented with hardwareand/or software, as described herein. In some embodiments, part or allof the hardware and/or software can be conventional, while in these orother embodiments, part or all of the hardware and/or software can becustomized (e.g., optimized) for implementing part or all of thefunctionality of system 1400 described herein.

In many embodiments, system 1400 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1401. Memory storage module 1401 can be referred to asorder receiving module 1401. In many embodiments, order receiving module1401 can store computing instructions configured to run on one or moreprocessing modules and perform one or more acts of method 400 (FIG. 4 )(e.g., activity 401 (FIG. 4 )).

In many embodiments, system 1400 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1402. Memory storage module 1402 can be referred to asorder splitting module 1402. In many embodiments, order splitting module1402 can store computing instructions configured to run on one or moreprocessing modules and perform one or more acts of method 400 (FIG. 4 )(e.g., activity 402 (FIG. 4 )).

In many embodiments, system 1400 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1403. Memory storage module 1403 can be referred to astote batching module 1403. In many embodiments, tote batching module1403 can store computing instructions configured to run on one or moreprocessing modules and perform one or more acts of method 400 (FIG. 4 )(e.g., activity 403 (FIG. 4 )).

In many embodiments, system 1400 can comprise non-transitory memorystorage module 1404. Memory storage module 1404 can be referred to asdisplay of picklist facilitating module 1404. In many embodiments,display of picklist facilitating module 1404 can store computinginstructions configured to run on one or more processing modules andperform one or more acts of method 400 (FIG. 4 ) (e.g., activity 404(FIG. 4 )).

Although systems and methods for optimization of pick walks have beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that various changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, thedisclosure of embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the scope ofthe disclosure and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended thatthe scope of the disclosure shall be limited only to the extent requiredby the appended claims. For example, to one of ordinary skill in theart, it will be readily apparent that any element of FIGS. 1-12 may bemodified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of theseembodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of allpossible embodiments. For example, one or more of the procedures,processes, or activities of FIGS. 4, 5 , and/or 7 may include differentprocedures, processes, and/or activities and be performed by manydifferent modules, in many different orders.

All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to theembodiment claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacementof one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and notrepair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions toproblems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. Thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elementsthat may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or becomemore pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required,or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unlesssuch benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in suchclaim.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicatedto the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/orlimitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are orare potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations inthe claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: one or more processors; andone or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computinginstructions that, when executed on the one or more processors, causethe one or more processors to perform functions comprising: receiving arespective number of totes for each respective order of one or moreorders, wherein the totes are to be filled by a picker according to apicklist as part of a pick walk along a path in a store, and wherein thepath is configured to allow the picker to fill the totes for arespective order of the one or more orders by at least pulling one ormore carts loaded with the totes travelling around the store on thepath; determining, using a first set of rules, when the respectivenumber of the totes for the respective order of the one or more orderscan be reduced; when the respective number of the totes is determined tobe able to be reduced, reducing, using a second set of rules, therespective number of the totes for the respective order to a respectivereduced number of the totes for the respective order of the one or moreorders, wherein the second set of rules comprises an infeasible totesloop; executing, as part of the infeasible totes loop, a large scaleneighborhood search comprising an item exhaustive search that determinesall possible combinations of items swapped between the respective numberof the totes for the respective order, wherein the item exhaustivesearch further runs until a maximum number of iterations is reached;comparing the respective number of the totes for the respective order tothe respective reduced number of the totes for the respective order;when the respective number of the totes for the respective order iscompared to be equal to the respective reduced number of the totes forthe respective order, facilitating displaying, on an electronic devicecarried by the picker, the respective number of the totes for therespective order, wherein the respective number of the totes for therespective order is returned from a previous iteration of the maximumnumber of the iterations reached, and wherein the respective number ofthe totes for the respective order comprises the picklist; generatingdirections for a route of the pick walk based on a map of the store,wherein the route is overlaid on the map of the store; and displayingthe map of the store for the pick walk on the electronic device carriedby the picker, wherein the map comprises the directions for the pickwalk for the picklist, and wherein the directions further comprise turnby turn directions of the route displayed on the map of the picklist. 2.The system of claim 1, wherein determining, using the first set ofrules, when the respective number of the totes for the respective orderof the one or more orders can be reduced comprises: determining, usingthe first set of rules, a theoretical minimum number of the totes forthe respective order; comparing the theoretical minimum number of thetotes for the respective order with the respective number of the totes;and when the theoretical minimum number of the totes for the respectiveorder is less than the respective number of the totes, determining thatthe respective number of the totes can be reduced.
 3. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the first set of rules comprise: calculating arespective total volume for items in the respective order; and dividingthe respective total volume for the items in the respective order by amaximum volume capacity for each tote to determine the theoreticalminimum number of the totes for the respective order.
 4. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the first set of rules comprise: calculating arespective total weight for items in the respective order; and dividingthe respective total weight for the items in the respective order by amaximum weight capacity for each tote to determine the theoreticalminimum number of the totes for the respective order.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the second set of rules comprise: creating one or moreinfeasible totes using items in the respective number of the totes forthe respective order; determining, using a third set of rules and arespective infeasible tote ratio for the one or more infeasible totes,when a first respective item of the items in a first respective tote ofthe respective number of the totes for the respective order cannot beswapped with a second respective item of the items in a secondrespective tote of the respective number of the totes for the respectiveorder; and when the first respective item in the first respective totefor the respective order cannot be swapped with the second respectiveitem in the second respective tote for the respective order, increasinga minimum number of the totes for the respective order by one tote. 6.The system of claim 5, wherein the third set of rules further comprise:determining a savings metric of each swap of the items between therespective number of the totes using two or more infeasible tote ratios,wherein the savings metric comprises subtracting a first sum ofrespective infeasible tote ratios of two new totes from a second sum ofrespective infeasible tote ratios of two original totes; and when allswaps of the items create a negative saving metric, terminating theinfeasible totes loop.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the computinginstructions, when executed on the one or more processors, further causethe one or more processors to perform functions comprising: repeating(1) determining when the first respective item in the first respectivetote for the respective order cannot be swapped with the secondrespective item in the second respective tote for the respective orderand (2) increasing the minimum number of the totes for the respectiveorder until the first respective item in the first respective tote forthe respective order can be swapped with the second respective item inthe second respective tote for the respective order; and when the firstrespective item in the first respective tote for the respective ordercan be swapped with the second respective item in the second respectivetote for the respective order, setting the respective reduced number ofthe totes for the respective order as a current number of the totes forthe respective order.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the second setof rules comprise: executing a greedy tote reduction algorithm using amaximum volume capacity of each tote of the totes for the respectiveorder.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the second set of rulescomprise: executing a greedy tote reduction algorithm using a maximumweight capacity of each tote of the totes for the respective order. 10.The system of claim 1, wherein the computing instructions, when executedon the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processorsto perform functions comprising: when the respective number of the totesfor the respective order is compared to be not equal to the respectivereduced number of the totes for the respective order: reducing, usingthe second set of rules, the respective reduced number of the totes forthe respective order to a respective further reduced number of the totesfor the respective order of the one or more orders; comparing therespective reduced number of the totes for the respective order to therespective further reduced number of the totes for the respective order;and when the respective reduced number of the totes for the respectiveorder is equal to the respective further reduced number of the totes forthe respective order, facilitating displaying, on the electronic devicecarried by the picker, the respective reduced number of the totes forthe respective order.
 11. A method being implemented via execution ofcomputing instructions configured to run on one or more processorsstored one or more non-transitory computer-readable media, the methodcomprising: receiving a respective number of totes for each respectiveorder of one or more orders, wherein the totes are to be filled by apicker according to a picklist as part of a pick walk along a path in astore, and wherein the path is configured to allow the picker to fillthe totes for a respective order of the one or more orders by at leastpulling one or more carts loaded with the totes travelling around thestore on the path; determining, using a first set of rules, when therespective number of the totes for the respective order of the one ormore orders can be reduced; when the respective number of the totes isdetermined to be able to be reduced, reducing, using a second set ofrules, the respective number of the totes for the respective order to arespective reduced number of the totes for the respective order of theone or more orders, wherein the second set of rules comprises aninfeasible totes loop; executing, as part of the infeasible totes loop,a large scale neighborhood search comprising an item exhaustive searchthat determines all possible combinations of items swapped between therespective number of the totes for the respective order, wherein theitem exhaustive search further runs until a maximum number of iterationsis reached; comparing the respective number of the totes for therespective order to the respective reduced number of the totes for therespective order; when the respective number of the totes for therespective order is compared to be equal to the respective reducednumber of the totes for the respective order, facilitating displaying,on an electronic device carried by the picker, the respective number ofthe totes for the respective order, wherein the respective number of thetotes for the respective order is returned from a previous iteration ofthe maximum number of the iterations reached, and wherein the respectivenumber of the totes for the respective order comprises the picklist;generating directions for a route of the pick walk based on a map of thestore, wherein the route is overlaid on the map of the store; anddisplaying the map of the store for the pick walk on the electronicdevice carried by the picker, wherein the map comprises the directionsfor the pick walk for the picklist, and wherein the directions furthercomprise turn by turn directions of the route displayed on the map ofthe picklist.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining, using thefirst set of rules, when the respective number of the totes for therespective order of the one or more orders can be reduced comprises:determining, using the first set of rules, a theoretical minimum numberof the totes for the respective order; comparing the theoretical minimumnumber of the totes for the respective order with the respective numberof the totes; and when the theoretical minimum number of the totes forthe respective order is less than the respective number of the totes,determining that the respective number of the totes can be reduced. 13.The method of claim 12, wherein the first set of rules comprise:calculating a respective total volume for items in the respective order;and dividing the respective total volume for the items in the respectiveorder by a maximum volume capacity for each tote to determine thetheoretical minimum number of the totes for the respective order. 14.The method of claim 12, wherein the first set of rules comprise:calculating a respective total weight for items in the respective order;and dividing the respective total weight for the items in the respectiveorder by a maximum weight capacity for each tote to determine thetheoretical minimum number of the totes for the respective order. 15.The method of claim 11, wherein the second set of rules comprise:creating one or more infeasible totes using items in the respectivenumber of the totes for the respective order; determining, using a thirdset of rules and a respective infeasible tote ratio for the one or moreinfeasible totes, when a first respective item of the items in a firstrespective tote of the respective number of the totes for the respectiveorder cannot be swapped with a second respective item of the items in asecond respective tote of the respective number of the totes for therespective order; and when the first respective item in the firstrespective tote for the respective order cannot be swapped with thesecond respective item in the second respective tote for the respectiveorder, increasing a minimum number of the totes for the respective orderby one tote.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the third set of rulesfurther comprise: determining a savings metric of each swap of the itemsbetween the respective number of the totes using two or more infeasibletote ratios, wherein the savings metric comprises subtracting a firstsum of respective infeasible tote ratios of two new totes from a secondsum of respective infeasible tote ratios of two original totes; and whenall swaps of the items create a negative saving metric, terminating theinfeasible totes loop.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the methodfurther comprises: repeating (1) determining when the first respectiveitem in the first respective tote for the respective order cannot beswapped with the second respective item in the second respective totefor the respective order and (2) increasing the minimum number of thetotes for the respective order until the first respective item in thefirst respective tote for the respective order can be swapped with thesecond respective item in the second respective tote for the respectiveorder; and when the first respective item in the first respective totefor the respective order can be swapped with the second respective itemin the second respective tote for the respective order, setting therespective reduced number of the totes for the respective order as acurrent number of the totes for the respective order.
 18. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the second set of rules comprise: executing a greedytote reduction algorithm using a maximum volume capacity of each tote ofthe totes for the respective order.
 19. The method of claim 11, whereinthe second set of rules comprise: executing a greedy tote reductionalgorithm using a maximum weight capacity of each tote of the totes forthe respective order.
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the methodfurther comprises: when the respective number of the totes for therespective order is compared to be not equal to the respective reducednumber of the totes for the respective order: reducing, using the secondset of rules, the respective reduced number of the totes for therespective order to a respective further reduced number of the totes forthe respective order of the one or more orders; comparing the respectivereduced number of the totes for the respective order to the respectivefurther reduced number of the totes for the respective order; and whenthe respective reduced number of the totes for the respective order isequal to the respective further reduced number of the totes for therespective order, facilitating displaying, on the electronic devicecarried by the picker, the respective reduced number of the totes forthe respective order.